SECONDARY ANALYSIS IN SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH EDUCATION: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE PROMISE

Abstract

This article reviews the emergence of secondary analysis of data (SA) as a methodology for examining questions of relevance for social work and its implications for student education. Given the rapid expansion of available data archives from agencies, governmental and research sources, and technological advances in accessibility and ease of use, secondary analysis now holds considerable promise for social work. The authors examine the current treatment of SA in social work research texts and review its strengths and weaknesses. They conclude with a discussion of enhanced educational training as a base for expanding the use of SA in social work research.